UPDATE: Puppy love is in the air at Houston animal shelters

For unconditional love, there’s nothing like a dog, or on a good day, even a cat.

Building on that sentiment, Houston’s five animal shelters are teaming up again this year to promote animal adoptions for Valentine’s Day.

The 2012 theme is Have a Heart at Half the Price.

“Valentine’s Day is a big time of year to adopt, buy or acquire a pet in some way,” said Monica Schmidt, spokeswoman for the Houston Humane Society. “We thought if people are going to get a pet anyway, they might as well adopt.”

The five agencies are planning a joint announcement on Wednesday, complete with adorable photo opportunities.

“Each of us will have an adoptable pet with us,” Schmidt said. “Everybody loves to see a cute puppy or kitten face.”

“My understanding is that every shelter has recorded an increase for Valentine’s Day,” she said. “A lot of it comes from working together. It helps us spread the word.”

The agencies are trying to do more joint projects, such as a microchip clinic they conducted in September, she said.

UPDATE: The Valentine’s Day promotion takes place Feb. 10 – 12. Each shelter has the option to extend the specials listed below.

BARC, 3200 Carr St.: The regular adoption fee for all cats and dogs is half-price.

Citizens for Animal Protection, 17555 Katy Freeway: The half- price adoption fee applies to selected animals, identified by half a heart on their cages. Visitors looking to adopt a pet receive half a heart when they come in and can “match” their half to one on an animal’s cage.